This classified ad got me thinking about these again as I have a friend w/ a nice one that might be for sale soon.

(comments are pretty funny cause it's overpriced)
https://www.reddit.com/r/HoustonClassifieds/comments/e8uaz5/2_door_1999_4x4_tahoe_for_sale/

So my buddy's is clean and lifted w/ A/Ts but it's only 2wd, how hard would it be to convert to 4x4? I'm thinking best case would be to get a similar donor vehicle for cheap to swap the parts out.

These seem to be going up in price like all other cool rare 90s cars, what do yall think? Would 4x4 that was originally 2wd be worth a lot less?



Couldn't find a pic w/ a hot girl and a Tahoe so here's the hottest thing I remember about 1998:

I have done this before. My advice is to buy a vehicle that's already 4x4 and save the headache. Good luck on early Tahoes though because everyone seems to think they're worth gold these days.

If you're convinced you want to, is this going to be much of a wheeler? That changes the scope of everything.

Easy: find a donor and just pull parts. I am not clear if they share frames with the 4x4 trucks but a search on Pirate or the GM forums should give that away. But you're still stuck with one of the crappier 4x4 setups out there which has a whole host of problems with any noticeable lift and larger tires.

The majority who actually wheel and do this to Chevys are using Ford solid axles up front, because the IFS is junk comparatively. If you're going to do it, I'd recommend going with 1 tons from the get go due to the scope of the work and upfront cost. (long term it's cheaper to do it right the first time) Best bang for your buck is Superduty axles right now, but you won't be using leafs with them like most do.

Frankly though, if mine wasn't an older model non-IFS 3/4 ton truck, and it didn't have sentimental value to me, I would have never converted it over to 4x4. I would have sold it and bought a 3/4 or 1 ton with what I wanted for drivetrain from the get go. You're looking at finding a new transmission, transfer case, shortening rear driveshaft, buying or shortening a used driveshaft for the front, new wheels, etc. and tires are a lot of money if you are lifting. Don't forget lift kit or homebrewing one (not advisable for IFS if you chose to go that route.

It's already got a decent lift & tires. I'd really never do any real crawling so if I do get it I should probably leave it as is but I'd like the option to take it to the beach or maybe big bend.

drumboy said:

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It's already got a decent lift & tires. I'd really never do any real crawling so if I do get it I should probably leave it as is but I'd like the option to take it to the beach or maybe big bend.

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You can do any of that with a stock 1/2 ton pickup from any of the major brands. The IFS will be fine. Well, as fine as 90's Chevy IFS can be, anyway.

That was one of the worst automotive choices GM ever made in my opinion, but most people want ride quality and the idea of 4x4 as opposed to a truly decent 4x4 system. I personally wouldn't have larger than 33s on one but they'll live with 35s and mild stuff. Any larger is just a bad idea imo.

IFS is fine if you aren't rock crawling or putting huge lifts on. Yeah, the front CV shafts are weaker and more subject to break if you are doing extreme things, and the IFS limits your lift options and therefore tire sizes, but when doing less extreme modifications and for utilitarian use, it is arguably better. Better road manners, better from ground clearance at factory height or with moderate lifts and tires (no front pumpkin), better handling in moderate off road conditions. No death wobble. Much cheaper. Sure, if building a more extreme purpose built off road vehicle or throwing 35" plus tires on you pretty much go solid axle, but you don't HAVE to.

People that break things are usually poor drivers or fail to do maintenance.

Also, blazers.

2 door Tahoes are awesome

I never liked that the top didn't come off. It's K5 or Bronco for me.

Funny story though: Around 15 years ago, a guy I knew had a cheap 4x4 Ramcharger he picked up. He never got a title so it just got driven around the property as a toy.

One night where everyone had a lot to drink, he said "Man, these would have been so much cooler if they still had the removable top". Everyone agreed.

10 minutes later someone produced a Sawzall, and that top indeed came off.

I was offered the truck later for a whole lot less than he paid.

drumboy said:

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This classified ad got me thinking about these again as I have a friend w/ a nice one that might be for sale soon.

(comments are pretty funny cause it's overpriced)
https://www.reddit.com/r/HoustonClassifieds/comments/e8uaz5/2_door_1999_4x4_tahoe_for_sale/

So my buddy's is clean and lifted w/ A/Ts but it's only 2wd, how hard would it be to convert to 4x4? I'm thinking best case would be to get a similar donor vehicle for cheap to swap the parts out.

These seem to be going up in price like all other cool rare 90s cars, what do yall think? Would 4x4 that was originally 2wd be worth a lot less?



Couldn't find a pic w/ a hot girl and a Tahoe so here's the hottest thing I remember about 1998:

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The 2wd and 4wd have a completely different frame in the front. Coil sprung vs torsion bars. It's not as simple as just swapping in the front diff and transfer case to turn a 2wd into a 4wd.

Best case is slam it back to the ground, flip it for a profit, and buy the 4wd you want. GM made a lot fewer 2wd versions than 4wd and at least in Texas, they usually get a premium. That said, with those miles, it's a $4-5k truck IMO assuming the interior is clean. He could prob get $12k if it had <100k miles on it.

I bought a 99 z71 Sport last year and LS swapped it. I needed one to go with my Bronco

still have my 97 four door. still runs great. probably buying a 2 door 85 blazer from a family member at the beginning of the year for tits and gigs

I had a 95 2dr 4WD Tahoe. Bought new. By far the biggest POS I've ever owned.

When did they go from a blazer to Tahoe? Just curious

akaggie05 said:

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94 was the last year of K5 Blazer, 95 was first year of Tahoe (both 2 and 4 door). 95 also brought the updated interior. 96 was when TBI went bye bye and Vortec came out.

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95 also had a few one year only parts like the transmission and climate controls. It was a weird transition year.

chevy con queso said:

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2 door SUVs period. I miss them.

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We still miss the '86 Dodge Ramcharger that we sold back around 1995. By modern standards it lacked A LOT, but somehow we just loved it anyway.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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two 'doe 'hoes....

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My first thought

I always liked that generation Dodge as I've spent a lot of time in them. Ford and GM blew past them in improvements as usual, but they hold a special place in my heart for the nostalgia alone.

318 and 360 were meh but they were decent runners and used to be cheap. Cummins powered options command re**** prices. A guy down the street from me drives a really cherry early 90s diesel and I enjoy seeing it go by.

I never was a fan of the updated ('95) interior for whatever reason. The old one looked better IMO but the plastic the inner dash was made from was just garbage. Ours cracked and sagged on the left side by a good 1/2" or so for no good reason around 9 years old.

The Fife said:

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I never was a fan of the updated ('95) interior for whatever reason. The old one looked better IMO but the plastic the inner dash was made from was just garbage. Ours cracked and sagged on the left side by a good 1/2" or so for no good reason around 9 years old.

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The plastic on the 95+ was just as garbage. Next to impossible to find a good one at the JYs in Texas that isn't cracked like hell.

I fiberglassed mine back together and installed a dash cap until I can find a good quality one to swap in

That's sad. I had to google the 8th vs 9th gen because the interiors felt kind of similar to me but they must've changed something because dad's 04 has held up pretty well there despite very little maintenance. The only thing I've done on that thing that was a pain was the blend door at the bottom/center of the dash. It probably would've been a lot easier with the center console out of the way.